You guys should add to the chart wether or not you have to be late to start benefits. I wouldn't want to ruin my credit with a 30 day late.

linked article goes to reuters page about grocers

FTA - OVERALL WINNER: Hyundai Assurance Plus

The article goes on to say that if you think you might lose your job, you shouldn't be buying a new car.

@sleze69: It's a catch 22 though. What if your car is totaled and you need a new one. You might be at risk of losing your job, but you're almost certain to lose it if you no longer have a car and can't get to work. I think this plan is mainly geared towards people in situations like that, where they're replacing a car out of necessity. If you might lose your job and you're buying a car just to upgrade from a perfectly good car to a newer one, then no, you probably shouldn't be buying one.

Still, some people would never see unemployment coming. For example... a company that sells things on the internet LAYS OFF their web designer. Go figure.

If I'm reading the chart correctly, Ford has a $700 cap on monthly payments, while Hundai has no cap. How does Ford win that category?

@Coles_Law: if you can find a Hyundai with a $700/month payment I would be seriously surprised.

@Todd Fernandez: Genesis Sedan + all the options + 3 year loan = More than 700 monthly payment.'

Of course, the Genesis is exempt from the assurance plan, so there you go.

@t325: Also, if you don't have much in the way of money and can't even buy a used (but in good condition) Hyundai, buying a new one may be more cost effective. If you lose your job, at least you've been making money still (instead of not having a car, being off work, or getting fired) and can return the car to Hyundai and maybe the money you've made in the meantime can help with buying the used one.

If I had a Ford, I might like to keep it. If I had a Hyundai, I'd probably rather see it repossessed. No, seriously, their quality really and truly has come a long way (starting in 2003), but the name is just not right.
A:"What do you drive?"
B:"A Hyundai."
A:"Oh, I had a Honda Prelude. Loved it!"
B:"No, Hyundai, Hyooondai! Korean brand."
A:"Oh. That's like a Kia, right?"

@t325: I think if you're that uncertain about your job, but you *need* a newer car, buying used would be a much better choice.

This marketing campaign has generated fabulous visibility for Hyundai. Whatever the actual merits of their offer, it was a genius move.

Disclaimer: We love our Hyundais.

It seems that the text in red is supposed to be "best", so wouldn't Hyundai's "no limit" on monthly payment or total benefits win?

@B: If you can get financing for a used one. My little brother just had to get a new car after someone hit him and totaled his car. The Ford dealership would give him financing for a brand new 2009 vehicle, but not a used 2008 or 2007, which would have been cheaper.

Because of the issues car manufacturers are having, they are much more willing to finance their new cars before next years come out and they lose a huge chunk of their value.

@balthisar: I love my kia :)

Hyundai was the first to even think about any assurance plan for their buyers- it's that kind of motivation and marketing that makes them more attractive than a domestic vehicle today. Not to include their warranties are pretty awesome as well.

I wish our automakers thought of this first, instead of following suit.

@t325: or if a car is required for work.

@sleze69: So, thats pretty much everyone these days, no? Except maybe gov't workers and people with enought money to just buy the car with cash.

Two important factors that aren't included that push it well into Hyundai's favor...value for what you get initially, and build quality.

@ElizabethD: I rented a Sonata a couple weeks ago. Way nicer than I imagined!

@Coles_Law: It looks like they just highlighted the highest value, regardless of whether "none" was better. But yes, I agree, the Hyundai column should be highlighted for monthly and total max payments, since there is none for either.